British V.Islands Basketball

DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Planning for the 2017 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League has started.The League Committee held its first meeting last week to put plans in motion for its popular Basketball League where rings are given to the championship team each year. The League, founded by Hon Julian Fraser RA, the Representative for the Third District, and Bishop John I. Cline of the Save the Seed Energy Centre, will be celebrating its fifth anniversary.

League Committee Chairperson Mrs Kharid T. Fraser said, 'in the coming weeks some announcements will be made on several League matters, including amendments to the By-Laws, presentation of rings to the first league 2013 Championship team Ruff House and other logistics for the 2017 Season, including dates and the Draft.'

5 years of basketball

As the League celebrates its 5th anniversary, the 2017 season is expected to be even more exciting and competitive. The senior championship team is given rings and the current 2016 Champion team, Splash Brothers, will be awarded their rings at the opening of the league later in the summer.

It is not clear at this time if there will be any added entertainment or event in recognition of the 5th anniversary of the league as a follow up with Mrs Fraser and League Director/Founder Hon Fraser was not successful up to the time of publication.

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League was founded in 2013 by both Hon Fraser and Bishop Cline. Games are played at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom on Tortola. There have been four Championship teams thus far and their banners have been put to hang in the Save the Seed Energy Centre Arena, the home of the League.

In 2013 Ruff House was the first Championship Team, in 2014 it was Bayside Blazers, 2015 West Gunners and in 2016 Splash Brothers.

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League is governed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules, endorsed by the BVI Basketball Federation, and has its own by-laws and governing committee.

LOWER ESTATE, Tortola, VI - All major sports, along with sporting facilities in the Virgin Islands, from horse race and track and field to basketball, have been affected by the destruction of hurricanes Irma and Maria. Basketball, a favourite sport that have kept the Territory's name alive overseas because of many local basketball players who have gone on to do great things, has been one of the hardest hit. Tortola and Virgin Gorda have grown accustomed to four major basketball leagues e... [read more]

LOWER ESTATE, Tortola, VI - All major sports, along with sporting facilities in the Virgin Islands, from horse race and track and field to basketball, have been affected by the destruction of hurricanes Irma and Maria.Basketball, a favourite sport that have kept the Territory's name alive overseas because of many local basketball players who have gone on to do great things, has been one of the hardest hit.

Tortola and Virgin Gorda have grown accustomed to four major basketball leagues each year, in at least two cases (Summer Jam & BVI Basketball Federation) going back to some 20 to 40 years.

Four big basketball leagues on hold

The Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines Sixth District Basketball League usually is played around February each year at the Belle Vue Gymnasium, which was totally flatted by Hurricane Irma, so players in that area have no place to practice.

The Belle Vue Gym holds the title of the Territory's first indoor basketball court built by late Legislator Omar W. Hodge. However, the facility that now lies in ruins will not be built back anytime soon despite the current Representative Maduro-Caines claiming it will be.

The BVI Basketball Federation League, the Virgin Islands' (VI) oldest league, going back some 40 plus years, which usually starts on Mother's Day and is played at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town, will resume no time soon. The building, the 'town gym' as it is most often called, was damaged and still not repaired and is still being used as a shelter for residents that remain homeless.

On Virgin Gorda, a few years ago, the basketball court in the Valley was covered with a roof for the popular Summer Jam games which started around 1995, according to one of its founders, Trevor M. Stevens aka 'West.' That new roof and facility fell victim to Hurricane Irma and will not be up anytime soon, leaving Virgin Gorda basketball players without a game plan or a league. Some of the committed players go to the unlighted North Sound Court to keep in shape. Summer Jam usually starts around July-August each year and has grown to be the most exciting league on the sister island.

The youngest basketball league, which some have described as the most anticipated and competitive league, is the Honourable Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League that is played at the Save the Seed Energy Centre. This young league, founded in 2013, is known for its draft of local elite basketball players, rings and corporate sponsorship. It was founded by Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), a veteran politician and Bishop John I. Cline, an outspoken man of the cloth.

While this was the only home of a basketball league that survived the destructive force of Hurricane Irma, the church on the compound in Duff's Bottom received extensive damages and the league had to be canceled following the Hurricanes of 2017 to allow the church to occupy the Save the Seed Basketball space. It is unknown when the church will be fixed; therefore, no games will happen there for a while. This is also an indoor Gym and the League, which has both junior and senior divisions, usually starts around August each year.Local elite basketball players speak

While there are other basketball leagues around Tortola, like the K & J 3 on 3 and a junior division developmental league almost every month by veteran coach Mr Milton C. McLean of the Sea Cows Bay Basketball Club, the four major basketball leagues draw the most players, cost the most money, have the most controversies and attract the biggest crowds and fan base and see the display of the strongest passions for the game.

Many of the local big name players are determined to keep the sport alive and have even continued their practice and workout routines with a game or two.

It was yesterday, February 4, 2018 that our roving camera caught up with some players hooping it up at the Lower Estate Basketball court in the capital city. Names such as Jason A. Edwin, Ray D. Victor, Nathaniel J. Malone, Kameron G. Young and even coach Brian S. Brewley aka 'Bash' were among others in full force.

Mr Edwin, who is also a co-founder of the K & J 3 on 3, a coach and veteran player, told our newsroom that 'we all know that most of the facilities were damaged, but we want to keep basketball alive…..some of us from a certain generation are accustomed of playing outdoors… but we going to start doing some grassroots programmes, to bring basketball back, but it will take some time to get the facility up and running…' Mr Edwin stated.

Meanwhile, another superstar player Mr Victor said, 'We are still trying to stay in shape. It's fun getting a sweat, we are bored. I urge other players to come out and let's play some basketball." Mr Victor said he understands the hold up with the facility, for example at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex which is still being used as a shelter. 'I understand the challenge as the people who find themselves in those situations must also come first.'

In addition, Mr Malone, a seasoned player and coach, told our newsroom, 'I am part of the efforts to keep the sport alive and we practice as often as we can, so whenever a league starts we will be ready.'

It's unclear what level of priority sporting facilities will be given in the Territory's recovery plans and when the islands will see its first basketball league following the Hurricanes of 2017, as some will simply argue there are much more pressing priorities.

Correcaminos UAT Victoria (LNBP) inked 31-year old British V.Islands international center Kleon Penn (213-127kg-86, college: McNeese State, agency: Paris Global Sports) from Fuerza Regia. In 6 LNBP games in Mexico he averaged 6.5ppg and 4.3rpg this season. The last summer Penn played at Brujos in Puerto Rican BSN where in 36 games he had 6.5ppg, 5.6rpg and 2.1bpg. A very good season in his career as he was selected to Puerto Rican BSN All-Star Game. Among other achievements he won Dominic... [read more]

Correcaminos UAT Victoria (LNBP) inked 31-year old British V.Islands international center Kleon Penn (213-127kg-86, college: McNeese State, agency: Paris Global Sports) from Fuerza Regia. In 6 LNBP games in Mexico he averaged 6.5ppg and 4.3rpg this season. The last summer Penn played at Brujos in Puerto Rican BSN where in 36 games he had 6.5ppg, 5.6rpg and 2.1bpg. A very good season in his career as he was selected to Puerto Rican BSN All-Star Game.Among other achievements he won Dominican Rep. LNB North Division championship title in 2016. Penn received also Latinbasket.com Puerto Rican BSN All-Defensive Team award in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.He represented British Virgin Islands at the CBC Championships in Tortola (British Virgin Islands) two years ago. Penn's team got to the Semifinals and his stats at that event were 4 games: 6.5ppg, 6.3rpg, Blocks-3 (3.0bpg), FGP: 56.3%, FT: 57.1%.Penn is a very experienced player. He has played also professionally in Morocco, Venezuela (Toros and Trotamundos), NBA (Minnesota Timberwolves), Puerto Rico (Vaqueros and Gallitos), Dominican Republic (Metros de Santiago) and Mexico (Soles and Potros).Worth to mention Penn played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him to get the job in pro basketball. He attended McNeese State until 2009 and it is his ninth season in pro basketball.Penn's game is described as:
Kleon Penn is a good defender and shot blocker. He has vastly improved his offensive skills. He is rapidly becoming one of the best defenders in the world. He was voted top defender in the very tough Puerto Rican league for 2011. He is ready to play at any level.

Another great collegiate basketball season is around the corner and athletes from the British Virgin Islanders are set to take court. In every levels, the small nation will feature talent that serves as beacons for the next generation of athlete. Eral Penn and Long Island University has been selected to finish sixth in this year's Northeast Conference standings in the league's annual preseason coaches' poll. The Blackbirds are under the direction of first year head coach Derek Kellogg, a... [read more]

Another great collegiate basketball season is around the corner and athletes from the British Virgin Islanders are set to take court. In every levels, the small nation will feature talent that serves as beacons for the next generation of athlete. Eral Penn and Long Island University has been selected to finish sixth in this year's Northeast Conference standings in the league's annual preseason coaches' poll. The Blackbirds are under the direction of first year head coach Derek Kellogg, and will be looking to replace the team's three top scorers. Penn is a 6'7" forward who played for Catholic League powerhouse St. Francis Academy. An All-Metro team honoree, Penn was one of his team's leading scorers as they advanced to the league semifinals, and was awarded the league's Dave Kropfelder "Never, Never Quit" Award in his senior season.Tahj Malone and Nyack University begins exhibition season on November 2nd versus Central Connecticut State. Malone is a 6'6 Guard/Forward native of the Virgin Islands that played his prep career at Montverde Academy (FL). He was teammates with current NBA Star Ben Simmons on Montverde's 2015 National High School Basketball Championship Team that achieved a 31-1 record. Franklyn Penn, New Mexico JCRenaldo Rogers, Northeastern JC

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